starting a blog step #1 domain names

I am starting a series for those who want to start a blog. These will be for beginners.

Step 1, is getting a domain name.  Before you get a domain name though you need to decide WHY you want to blog. I am going to give you instructions for beginning a blog that can bring some income. Even if that is not your purpose in blogging, and it really should not be your motivation in blogging, it is best to start with the proper ground work. If you never want to make a dime it won’t matter. But if you don’t prepare for the possibility to begin with you will have trouble later if you change your mind. So… with that in mind. Your purpose in blogging should be because you have a message to share. Whether your message is just to have your youngins say “hi” to grandma, or maybe you are the spokesman for some great cause, your message should be from your heart. Heartless blogging is boring. So back to step 1. I will explain later why you need your blog on your own domain. But for now,  think of names. It should reflect you or your message. You can use hyphens if necesarry. Such as bless-my-blog.com . dot com names are always easiest to remember for folks. I usually pick up the dot org name to go with it.

For now think of several possibilities. Then go shopping at
GoDaddy.com they do have some ads I don’t appreciate but they are also one of the biggest and best in customer service and easy to work with. However DO NOT get hosting there. I will tell you a much better option later, and I will tell you why. When you shop for available domain names be prepared to purchase if it is available. Since they are reasonable I often will get two or three and forward them all to the same spot until I am sure I picked the right one. This is important. When you find your desired name available, if you don’t grab it someone else will, there are name snatchers out there! So don’t even look it up until you are ready to get it, but they are under $10 each so it isn’t a major purchase.

more tomorrow…..

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